Breakfast: Hotel Dining Room. We fill our arranged tables and our own coffee from a dispenser. Since tea is preferred, coffee will only be available at breakfast. A breakfast buffet usually included both cooked (eggs, sausage, bacon) and cold items such as yogurt, cereal, breads, cold-cuts, cheese. We never left hungry.
Morning meeting in the hotel lecture room. Road Scholars tour group met staff and introduced each other. Also went over any late changes or questions regarding the program. Then transferred by motor coach to Valletta for "Malta Experience" audio/visual presentation that organizes the many layers of Malta's history in a polished format. Although the schedule is modified from what was originally in the guide book we received at home, we do “touch all the bases” during the tour. A home run just like in baseball.
Malta Experience info:
http://www.themaltaexperience.com/?page_id=18
We continue our ride around the island getting oriented to how small the size is. The Republic of Malta is an archipelago of 4 islands; Malta, Gozo, Comino, Cominotto. Total land mass just around 100 square miles.
We stop for lunch at small restaurant to share a local favorite – fenkata – rabbit. Yummy. Tastes like chicken?
After lunch, off to the city of Attard with the San Anton Palace. The city name reminded me of a person I worked with, Joe Attard. For that matter, most of my life, made many Maltese friends. Some at an early age in the 1950s while in elementary school. At that time, many Europeans displaced by WWII, were trying to find a “new life,” In Attard, we visit the presidential palace and garden. Strange thing – don’t notice any security guards or military around to protect the prez, who at times was a woman.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Anton_Palace
The gardens has a great variety of plants to include many palm trees. The mild weather in the winter is nice. Was told though the summer may be hot and dry.
Next tour stop is city of Mosta. Known mainly for church, that received a bomb through the roof in WWII. Fortunately, the bomb was a dud and people inside were not injured.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotunda_of_Mosta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosta
We return to the hotel for another presentation. This time on the Maltese language – yesterday and today. Covering the islands 7,000 year history, there have been many. Although there is an increased interest to teach the Maltese language in school, most people speak English. The Maltese language is a Semitic language which has varieties any many parts of the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semitic_languages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Malta
The letter C also stands for; Contraptions, Cabs and Cruising craft.
Photo 1. This is a tour “hearing aid” referred to as the “whisper.” An important device to keep us connected via an earpiece to our guide who might be too far away to hear through environmental sounds. Or, be used where a loud voice of presenter might be a distraction or prohibited in tour facilities. This is a great tool!
Photo 2. Shows an old motor coach. A big step above the pony carts that were used for a few decades after WWII. A time when most infrastructure for food, fuel and utilities were scarce.
Photo 3. I’m pointing to my cruising craft. A yacht that seems to go on forever (-:
Click below for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2013C2CDay3of28
